The Black Galaxies’ hopes of securing a second consecutive African Nations Championship (CHAN) appearance were crushed on Saturday after a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Defensive mistakes and missed chances proved costly, as Nigeria produced a clinical first-half display to seal their spot in the 2025 CHAN finals.
The Super Eagles quickly took control, with Ismaila Sodiq putting them ahead in the 19th minute after a defensive blunder from Ghana.
Just three minutes later, Nduka Junior doubled the lead with a stunning strike that left Ghana’s goalkeeper stranded.
Nigeria’s dominance continued, and Isaac Saviour added a third in the 25th minute, effectively putting the game out of reach before halftime.
The Black Galaxies, who needed either a win or a scoring draw to advance, struggled to find their rhythm in the opening half but showed signs of improvement after the break.
Stephen Amankona of Berekum Chelsea pulled one back for Ghana in the 73rd minute with a well-placed shot, offering a brief moment of hope for the visitors.
However, Nigeria’s defense held firm, thwarting any further attempts by Ghana to mount a comeback.
This defeat marks a disappointing end to Ghana’s CHAN campaign, with Nigeria avenging their elimination from the 2023 qualifiers.
As the Black Galaxies reflect on their performance, attention will now turn to rebuilding and preparing for future tournaments.
